COUNTY Durham bike racer Chrissy Rouse took only positives away from his Cadwell Park weekend despite crashing out while challenging for the lead in last Sunday’s Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship race.

The 19-year-old from Burnopfield was having his best race of the season so far when he made a small error in the Woodland section of the undulating track, crashing out and dislocating his shoulder.

The Team Haribo Starmix Triumph rider had already enjoyed a strong weekend at his favourite track, qualifying third, his highest grid spot this year, and topping the timesheets in Sunday morning’s warm-up.

As the 12-lap race got underway, Rouse was running well in third position for the first few laps and setting a new lap record. He began to scrap with Australian rider Ben Currie for third place on lap four, the pair swapping places a few times. With series leader Mason Law up ahead, the pair continued to battle and, on the eighth lap, Rouse made a move which stuck and he quickly edged away from his rival.

When Currie crashed out behind him, Rouse was pressure-free and was soon right on the back wheel of Law, setting yet another fastest lap and looking good to make a move for the lead. But, a lap later, his dreams came to an abrupt end as he lost the front of his machine and crashed out, re-dislocating the shoulder which has already troubled him twice this season.

A number of other riders from the region were also in action in front of an estimated 40,000 fans at the Lincolnshire track. Making his debut at national level in the Pirelli Superstock 600 class was Saltburn rider Davey Todd, who claimed an impressive 13th place to score points on the 600cc DTR Kawasaki after qualifying in 19th place.

Middlesbrough’s Richard Rooney followed up a 24th place in Saturday’s Ducati TriOptions race with a top 20 placing on Sunday, while Hutton Rudby rider Neil Bainbridge continued his steep learning curve aboard the HBH/KLM Kawasaki. He qualified in 32nd place for the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race, which was red-flagged twice and reduced to a short, five-lap sprint in which Bainbridge came home in 25th place.

ONE of karting’s up-and-coming talents is holding a fundraising evening to allow her to continue competing and also raise money for a charity which she and her family have supported for a number of years.

Junior racer Megan Stephenson, from Exelby, has been competing at club level this season to gain experience before making the step up to the next level next year.

The aim of the evening, which takes place at BASA, in Bedale, on Saturday, September 5, is to supplement the basic cost of the 2016 season while raising money for the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation, which has helped Megan with some sponsorship this season.

Among the auction prizes are a rally co-driver experience, an expensive watch and many other items. There will also be a barbecue, a live band, a raffle and a tombola, and the evening gets underway at 7pm. Many local shops and businesses in Bedale have donated vouchers and raffle prizes. Anyone who wishes to donate anything more, or needs further information, can contact Laura Stephenson via email at stephenson46@sky.com.

HAVING lost their previous five matches, Redcar Bears were desperate to beat mid-table Plymouth Devils and produced one of the most exciting speedway matches of the season on Thursday evening last week.

Bears were still without three of their team, who were still on the injury list, and had to enlist ex-Bear Richard Lawson and Workington’s Australian Matthew Wethers as guest riders.

Going into the last heat, the Devils could still have managed a draw, but Bears scored a 5-1 with some brilliant team riding, Lawson winning ahead of Jonas B Anderson to seal victory.

WITH just over a week to closing date, organisers of the SG Petch Tour of Hamsterley Rally are appealing for any competitors considering putting in an entry to do so to ensure the event goes ahead.

Earlier this week, the club had received 42 entries, eight short of the minimum needed to run, but Stockton and District MC is hopeful that recent enquiries and pledges will secure the additional numbers.

Last year’s winner, Stephen Petch, is one already entered for the event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 12, and features a different format.

The start, service area and finish will be at Streatlam, near Barnard Castle, and the event will consist of two loops of stages, both incorporating stages in Hamsterley Forest and Raby Castle. The first loop will feature two stages in Hamsterley at 7.2 miles and 8.1 miles, followed by a run through Raby at about 2.9 miles.

After a service halt, the route will be repeated, but with two further runs at the Raby stage.

Regulations are available at tourofhamsterley.co.uk.